KZ1000ST Camshaft chain guide sprocket

Hello,

Could I get your opinion about the "health" of my KZ1000ST's camshaft chain guide sprocket ?







As you can see on the pictures, the small bits of plastic around the sprocket aren't in a good shape.
It can move around 5 or 6mm on the left and right.

What's your opinion?

Thanks.
Nicolas, Paris

Post edited by: Conti, at: 2007/03/22 15:16

Nicolas...since you already have your top end exposed, I would also take a look at the other cam chain tensioners (pull the head)...I would bet that they also need replacing...it is relatively inexpensive to replace all those tensioner bits and pieces ( www.Z1Enterprises.com )

Mcdroid wrote:

Nicolas...since you already have your top end exposed, I would also take a look at the other cam chain tensioners (pull the head)...I would bet that they also need replacing...it is relatively inexpensive to replace all those tensioner bits and pieces ( www.Z1Enterprises.com )

Mcdroid,

Yes, I plan to open the motor to look at the other cam chain tensioners. On the next WE, I measure the compression of the cylinders, then open everything. I'm almost sure the rubber rollers are in bad shape.
As regards to those bits, I think they are *REALLY* expensive.
Cam Chain Idler Assembly = $111.59
Cam Chain Idler Sprocket = $111.59 x 2 = 223.18
Cam Chain Idler Sprocket Shaft = $10.54 x 2 = 21.08
Cam Chain Roller Shaft = $6.30 x 2 = 12.60
Rubber cam chain center idler damper = $2.64 x 4 = 5.28
Rubber Damper Kawasaki = $7.40 x 2 = 14.80
Cam Chain - EK 219H 124 link = $25.60
Cam Chain - EK 219H Master Link = $1.31
Total = USD 415.44
And I can't find the rubber rollers. :S
Of course, if I decide to change the camshaft chain assembly, I'll have a closer look to all the necessary parts, I'm not sure the list above is ok.

Yikes! I didn't realize the idler assemblies were that expensive. I have not had to replace any of those in my bikes, only the rubber dampers, the front cam chain guide, rear roller guide, central roller, etc. You may be able to use the idler wheels again, but they are definitely worn. BTW, Jeff carries the rubber rollers, but for some reason doesn't show them for the E models...but does show them for other models (look under KZ1000A1 and you'll find them). These rollers are cross-listed for A and E models.

Thanks Mcdroid, I found the rollers here:
www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=185
$415.44 + $13.09 x 2 = 441.62
:sick:

Just for info, the top sprocket/tower for your bike is not a part #12053-1016, it's a part #12053-1035. Z1 doesn't list this. It was only used on 1979-80 KZ1000 line. Z1 and early KZ1000 had an entirely different shape of tower as you can see in Z1 ent picture. So even though Z1 enterprises lists their 12053-1016 as correct part for Z1 and KZ1000 through 1980, this is not true. It may mount and work just fine, but it isn't the right part just to let you know.

Thanks for the information, RonKZ650.

So, in your opinion, the top sprocket has to be replaced? The black part around the tooth seem ok, but the black rubber (is it rubber) around them are in bad shape... Would continuing driving the motorbike with such a top sprocket be dangerous for the motor, or would that just bring more noise?

What about the inlet and exhaust camshaft sprockets? What's your opinion about them?

swap to a J head/block and rid yourself of those tensioners.

Your sprockets look fine to me. It's been a long time since I looked at one of these top tensioners, but I seem to remember quite a bit of lateral side play on that sprocket in the mounting tower. As long as the sprocket itself and the center are still firmly attached via the rubber/plastic crap they used, I'd say the sprocket is OK. That rubber deteriorates eventually and what happens is the sprocket will become pretty much just loose and freewheeling in the top tower. This makes for noise/rattling camchain operation but no other real harm. At least that's how my KZ650 went. I had over 135,000 miles on it when I noticed quite a bit of noise, removed the valve cover and found all 3 sprockets were freewheeling with no rubber centers in them at all.

id say measure the links on your cam chain to see if they are within limits.those parts look a little rough to me but its hard to tell for sure from pictures;)

wireman wrote:

id say measure the links on your cam chain to see if they are within limits.those parts look a little rough to me but its hard to tell for sure from pictures;)

Unfortunately to do so, I should either open the crankcase, or break the cam chain, shouldn't I ?